Turkish Airlines opens new Star Alliance lounge at Bangkok Airport
By Chris C., March 14 2019
Star Alliance passengers seeking an alternative to the ageing Thai Airways lounges in Bangkok Airport have a new option to explore on their next journey through Thailand, with Turkish Airlines opening an all-new lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport for international travellers.
Located in Concourse D near Gate D8, the lounge runs 24 hours a day and is accessible to all international departing passengers from Bangkok Airport – including Thai Airways guests bound for Australia, even when departing from a different concourse – as all concourses here are linked ‘airside’.
Under Star Alliance rules, any passenger holding an onward business class or first class boarding pass from a Star Alliance airline, or a Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer card when travelling with a Star Alliance airline, can be admitted: even though their airline may ‘suggest’ they head elsewhere.
For example, a Thai Airways business class boarding pass provides entry into Thai Airways’ numerous Bangkok lounges, but has long provided access to the Singapore Airlines and EVA Air lounges in Bangkok as well in line with that policy, joined this month by the Turkish Airlines lounge.
(Savvy travellers flying business class or first class with Thai Airways would know to stop by the airline’s Royal Orchid Spa for a complimentary treatment first, before heading to the lounge of their choosing.)
On the Turkish door list are United Club and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club (Worldwide) members as well when travelling with any Star Alliance airline, along with Priority Pass, LoungeKey and Lounge Club members flying with any airline: naturally, this includes Qantas and Emirates passengers flying to Australia.
As Turkish Airlines currently has just two flights per day from Bangkok – both of which depart late in the evening – we’d expect this lounge would be much quieter throughout the rest of the day, when most Australian travellers would be passing through the airport.
The lounge itself adopts a modern design with areas for working, dining and relaxing…
… and its location affords plenty of natural light throughout the day:
There’s also a small TV zone, which can double as a VIP room:
There's also a 'quiet room' where you can escape the busy-ness of Bangkok airport while waiting for your flight.
Bangkok Airport is served by 14 Star Alliance airlines – Air China, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines – which collectively offer over 1,000 weekly departures from Bangkok.
Turkish Airlines’ latest lounge at Bangkok is one of only several lounges the airline operates outside of its home country: the others being in Moscow, Washington D.C. and Nairobi.
Also read: Turkish Airlines introduces new business class bedding
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
14 Mar 2019
Total posts 1
No information yet, about the F & B catering inside? And, any shower facilities in this lounge? And what seems to be the guest capacity at one time?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
We've shared all the information we have right now. Trust me: if we had details on showers, capacity, food and beverage etc it'd be in the article :)
Etihad - Etihad Guest
15 Mar 2019
Total posts 4
In terms of F&B catering; there is a Turkish Pide station and also there are 1 Thai, 3 Western Dishes available. Shower facilities are available. Lastly, the capacity of the lounge is 150pax.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 Nov 2013
Total posts 11
I'll check it out next weekend. Perhaps the important answers about showers may come before then from other ABT FFs?. I've watched this *A lounge addition proceed with growing interest. If it does offer 24 hour opening, that's better than Thai offers across all its business and royal orchid dated lounge offerings in BKK.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 Nov 2013
Total posts 11
Plenty of natural light in the TK BKK lounge would be correct. Similar to the SQ *A lounge in BKK; which has natural light and direct garden, rather than, direct tarmac views. The EVA *A lounge has direct tarmac views, ample natural light which they complement with funky mood lighting. Several of the "dated" Thai lounges have direct tarmac views. Thai are behind the curve in most other lounge offerings in their BKK hub, excepting for the TG spa for business or above ticketed travelers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2018
Total posts 103
TK has an Unusual mix of overseas ports for their lounges...Bangkok is a great addition.
11 Apr 2012
Total posts 55
For what it's worth, there's also a new TG Royal Orchid lounge presently under construction in concourse D.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 50
I suspect, that until Thai air is once again operating in the black, we should not expect too many refreshments of the Bangkok lounges. Interestingly, this is part of their issue. Chicken or the egg ?
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
Given that this airline is expansionary, how long before it operates flights to at least one Australian destination?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2561
It's been the on-again off-again story of many years, just read back through our stories on Turkish Airlines (https://www.executivetraveller.com/tags/turkish-airlines). Will we eventually see that red and white TK tail on some Aussie tarmac? It'd be wonderful, but nobody is holding their breath.
03 May 2013
Total posts 680
Looks awfully tight with chairs jam packed in. Doesn't look like a fun place to 'relax' in pre flight when it's going to be close to, or full capacity; just sprinkle small children running around into that and mix and its going to be a definite no from me. Otherwise looks pleasing nice tones and modern.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
19 Mar 2019
Total posts 1
I flew last week TG461 and at that time of the morning I had the whole lounge to myself, bar 1 person. Breakfast was very basic. The Turkish pizza didn't start until 11am.
Showers were inclusive of the bathrooms. A much better option for a private shower is the Royal Orchid lounge down the corridor, just past the SQ lounge.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 Nov 2013
Total posts 11
Checked out the new TK lounge yesterday. Two sparkling wines available. The small Pide portions very tasty, though hard to come by. The shower in the men's lavatory was remarked on in earlier. Luckily, i didn't take up that option yesterday, as relayed here on FT.. yikes!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
03 Nov 2013
Total posts 11
Specifically, post #60 on that page - and the shower stall surprise ,
Etihad - Etihad Guest
17 Apr 2019
Total posts 1
My visit to the new Turkish airlines lounge at BKK airport last month was a great and pleasant experience. Staffs expressed very warm welcome, food was nice, especially the homemade pizza which was so delicious. Stylish while can alsoo enjoy some peace and quiet before getting on the plane. Pity that I was in a bit of a rush, otherwise I would try the lie flat quite room. Definitely, will do so next time.
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